The 4th successful WCBRT event saw international teams competing against some of the locals best teams. 27 IGFA observers attended the event with the WCBRT putting them up in the Tesoro Hotel and then competing on the 4th day of fishing for the Observer Tournament.
A tournament first saw two observers on each boat each day covering the bow and stern during multiple releases which was a success and all teams were very pleased with having two observers onboard.
The event was filmed and covered by Marlin World TV's very own Paul Watson who was flown out by the WCBRT and Big Cat Productions team Danny Krisic, Clay Shourthouse (Video) and Suzan Krisic (Photographer)
Opening the Event was The Billfish Foundation President Ellen Peel and Dr Russ Nelson who addressed the teams at the Captains Meting with an update on the Norma 029
Taking the lead day one was local Cabo San Lucas Team Get Over It - Drew Andrews with 19 striped Marlin releases for the day and taking home the USD $ 40 000.00 daily jackpots. They were followed by Team Spartacus at Sea with 13 releases and Team Bad Company with 10 releases.
Day 2 Fishing was slow for the day but local Team Get Over It still managed to release 14 fish to continue to dominate the lead and win the day 2 USD $ 40 000.00 daily jackpots with Team Tiger Spirit releasing 10 and Team Spartacus at Sea releasing 8 fish
Day 3 the two leading teams continued to find "the bite" in their pursuit of striped marlin as both to be slower fishing for most teams however Team Get Over It dominated the final day with 24 releases and taking the 3rd day jackpot of USD $ 40 000.00 earning them the first place and the World Championship Billfish Release Title. Team Spartacus at Sea had 13 releases followed by Team Bull Rider with 9 releases. Team Get Over It also received the Top Angler Award at the banquet.
Day 4 - The Observer Tournament was supported by several gracious teams who kindly donated their boats, time, crews for the observer tournament, a special thanks to Team Tiger Spirit, Team Protocol, Team Caliente, Team EZ Duz It and Team Reelaxe for taking the observers out. Fishing was incredibly difficult in rough seas for the observers, green cold water and 40 knt winds blowing by 10.00am. Team Reelaxe observer John Johnson from Florida had already released 2 marlin by 10.00 am giving him 1st Place in the observer event even after Team Reelaxe elected to return to port and call it a day whilst other teams continued to battle the weather.
Tournament Results:
1st Place Team Get Over It - 57 Releases and USD $ 143,500.00 ( Winner and qualified for the 2009 IGFA event)
2nd Place Team Spartacus at Sea 34 Releases and USD $ 14,200.00
3rd Place Team Tiger Spirit - 27 Releases and USD $ 11,300.00
1st Place Observer on Team Reelaxe - John Johnson out of Florida
2nd Place Observer on Team Tiger Spirit- Steve Gornel - Australia
Tournament statistics were 200 releases for 12 teams an average of 16.6 fish per team.
Special Thanks goes out to Team Tiger Spirit, Team Bad Company and Team Reelaxe for donating all their winnings to the Billfish Foundation.
The WCBRT event would like to thank the International Teams from Brazil, Italy and Australia for their participation and all our Partners and sponsors for the World Championship Billfish Release Tournament, The Billfish Foundation, Minerva's Baja Tackle, Pacific Coast Sportfishing, Melton International Tackle, No Worry's, King Sailfish Mounts, Pisces Sportfishing, Roffs, Eagle Claw, Berkley, Quick Rig, Marlin World TV , Capitan Del Niño's Childrens Charity .
The daily results and complete scoring are posted on the WCBRT home page at www.wcbrt.com . A list of the 2008 teams can also be found there as well. The December WCBRT event is the 5th, 6th, and 7th December 2008
